French researchers studied nearly 7,000 people over 65 years from the general population of 3 French cities. None of the subjects had dementia, but 4 out of 10 had mild cognitive impairment at the onset of the study. At 2 and 4 years the participants were re-evaluated.

Approximately 6.5% initially considers to have mild cognitive impairment developed dementia.

One in three of those with mild cognitive impairment reverted to normal levels of cognitive agility.

Depressed individuals were more likely to progress from mild cognitive impairment to dementia.

Men who had a stroke were nearly 3 times more likely to progress from mild cognitive impairment to dementia.

Men with mild cognitive impairment were more likely to be overweight, diabetic, and have a stroke.

Women with mild cognitive impairment were more likely to be in poor general heath, disabled, suffering from insomnia, and have a poor support network.

Women unable to perform routine daily tasks were 3.5 times more likely to develop dementia.

Women who were depressed and had mild cognitive impairment were twice as likely to develop dementia.

Strokes in women occurred as frequently as in men, but did not factor statistically in developing dementia.